HIV and Support Systems

By Brian Ledford

March 20, 2014

I received a call this evening from The Marine's Wounded Worrior group that really got me to thinking. It was great to get the call in the respect that it makes me feel like I have not been forgotten and that I am still part of the Marine family that I love so much. But this call got me thinking, which is usually a bad thing. I guess this is just part of the funk I have been in for a while now.

I was asked the usual questions, like whether I was using the VA for my health care and if I was able to pay my bills and whether I was working or in school. All of that was the usual thing which did not bother me at all.

Then I was asked one question, and that question alone really got to me and I am not sure why.

Advertisement

He asked me "Do you have a support system, friends or family you can talk to?"

Sure I have friends and family and I love them to death, but I don't know if I would call them a "support system." Yeah I can talk to them but they never really understand.

I told him "Sure, if I wanted to talk to them." Yeah I know that sounded rude as hell, but it is not like I could really tell him the truth. And if I did tell him the truth, what matter did it make? He could not change my circumstances with just a phone call, no matter how good his intentions.

I wanted to shout "NO, I do not have anyone to talk to," but once again what good would that do?

Then I got to thinking, I really do have a support system. It may not be your normal type in the sense that I do not have someone to physically sit down with and talk to, but it is a support system all the same.

Y'all have become my support system. Strangers in the real world, yet we all come together online and are there for each other. Y'all have become part of my family and for that I must thank you.

This may just sound like rambling to some but it is my truth. Even when I am in one of my funks like I have been as of late, I know I can find support from this awesome community that I am so proud to be part of.

So once again "Thank You" to each and every one of you have has been there and helped to see me through this journey thus far.

(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Beforeadding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.)

This is my story of how I found out I was HIV-positive while still on Active Duty in the United States Marine Corps and how I have tried to put the pieces of my life back together through the good times and the bad. I am currently a full time student working on a degree in Information Security Technology, which seems to be taking forever. I want to help make a difference and erase HIV related Stigma in the South, where due to lack of education people still do not know that much about HIV. If my story reaches out and helps at least one person, then I have made a difference.

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.